I shot the sheriff, but I didn't shoot no deputy, oh no, oh
I shot the sheriff, but I didn't shoot no deputy, ooh, ooh, ooh
Yeah, all around in my own town, they trying to track me down, yeah
They say they want to bring me in guilty, for the killing of a deputy
For the life of a deputy, but I said
Oh, now, now, oh
I shot the sheriff, but I saw a presence of defense, Lord, no, ooh, ooh, ooh
Yeah, I said, I shot the sheriff, oh, Lord
And they say it is a capital offense, ooh, ooh, ooh
Sheriff John Brown always hated me, for what, I don't know
Every time I plant a seed, he say kill it before it grow
He say kill them before they grow
And so, and so, read it in the news
I shot the sheriff, but I swear it was in self-defense, where was the deputy, ooh, ooh, ooh
I said, I shot the sheriff, but I swear it was in self-defense, yeah, ooh, ooh, ooh
Freedom came my way one day, and I started out of town, yeah
All of a sudden, I saw Sheriff John Brown aiming to shoot me down
So I shot, I shot, I shot him down
And I said, if I am guilty, I will pay
I shot the sheriff, but I didn't shoot no deputy, oh, no, oh
I shot the sheriff, but I didn't shoot no deputy, ooh, ooh, ooh
Reflexes are the better of me, as what is to be must be
Every day, the bucket a go a well
One day, the bottom a go drop out
One day, the bottom a go drop out
I said, I shot the sheriff, but I didn't shoot no deputy, no
Yeah, I, I, I shot the sheriff, but I didn't shoot no deputy
Yeah, so, yeah
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